Cedar Lake (McLeod and Meeker counties, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cedar Lake |
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 Cedar Lake
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | McLeod and Meeker counties |
| Coordinates | 44°58′40″N 94°27′41″W / 44.97778°N 94.46139°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Surface elevation | 1,076 feet (328 m) |
Cedar Lake is a lake located in the state of Minnesota, in the United States. It stretches across two counties: McLeod County and Meeker County.
Contents
What's in a Name?
Cedar Lake got its name from the many red cedar trees that grow near its shores. These trees are known for their reddish wood and pleasant smell.
Lake Size and Depth
Cedar Lake is quite a large lake, covering about 1,860 acres. That's like more than 1,400 football fields! However, even though it's big, it's also very shallow. The deepest part of the lake is only about 8 feet (2.4 meters) deep. This means you could almost stand up in the deepest parts if you were tall enough!
The Lake Bottom
The bottom of Cedar Lake is made up of fine mud, called silt, and detritus. Detritus is a mix of tiny bits of dead plants and animals. Think of it like very fine dirt and tiny pieces of leaves and twigs at the bottom of a pond.
Plants in the Lake
In the spring, you'll find lots of a plant called curly-leaf pondweed growing in the lake. This plant grows quickly when the weather is cool. But by July, when it gets warmer, much of the curly-leaf pondweed dies back.
Fish and Wildlife
Cedar Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. Sometimes, the lake experiences something called winterkill. This happens when the lake is covered with ice and snow for a long time. The snow blocks sunlight, and plants under the ice can't make oxygen. If there isn't enough oxygen in the water, fish can't breathe and might die.
When winterkill happens, new fish can swim into Cedar Lake from nearby Belle Lake. This helps to bring fish back to Cedar Lake.
Types of Fish
You can find many fish in Cedar Lake, including:
- Common carp: These are large, strong fish.
- Black bullheads: These are a type of catfish.
- Northern pike: These are long, slender fish known for being good hunters.
- Black crappie: These are popular sport fish, often caught for food.
